Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Ceremonial Hoe

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Ceremonial Hoe

Dan women form cooperative work groups to plant their rice farms. They use short-handled hoes for their labor. Each community chooses the leader of the work group based on her reputation for energy and leadership. As a symbol of her role as an important community leader, she carries a hoe carved with a figurative handle on those public occasions in which she wishes to show her status.

These hoes are examples of how utilitarian items may be embellished and elaborated to take on symbolic value. The heads on the handles may have been carved as portraits of the owners, or they may represent the artist's conception of an ideal face.

This text refers to these objects: 87.216.1; 87.216.2

• Culture: Dan
• Medium: Wood, iron
• Place Made: Liberia
• Dates: 20th century
• Dimensions: 15 x 2 x 4 1/4 in. (38.1 x 5.1 x 10.8 cm)
• Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
• Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 87.216.2
• Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Brian S. Leyden
• Image: 3/4, 87.216.1_87.216.2_threequarter_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Dan. Ceremonial Hoe, 20th century. Wood, iron, 15 x 2 x 4 1/4 in. (38.1 x 5.1 x 10.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Brian S. Leyden, 87.216.2 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 87.216.1_87.216.2_threequarter_bw.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Ceremonial hoe with cylindrical handle of wood, topped by human head with stylized face, wearing a coiffure which is ridged in the center and incised with geometric designs. Two small metal teeth set into mouth. Bottom of handle widens into bifurcated form with a center projection. The metal hoe, pointed at the tip, is attached to this lower section. Series of rings carved below head, and two narrow bands of triangular forms just below widened bottom section. Condition: One long crack down the front starting at chin; crack in bottom lower section; Small chips and nicks in wood; metal hoe worn and patinated. Recieved together with 84.216.1; both mounted on the same detachable wood and metal mount.